10 Best Movies Set In Hawaii, Ranked

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Aloha! The natural beauty of Hawaii has long been a source of inspiration for filmmakers who want to showcase its majestic cliffs and crystal-clear waters, as well as its rich Polynesian heritage. Many romantic comedies and coming-of-age films have exploited its breathtaking imagery to create a paradise-like atmosphere, full of spirit and tender romance. However, the islands have also been the backdrop for tragic events, such as the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and numerous war movies that have depicted Hawaii as a somber and troubled place.

Given the diverse landscapes and Native Hawaiian culture that span the islands, it's no surprise that many different kinds of stories have been told using this unique state as their backdrop. Here, we're taking a look at the 10 best films that feature Hawaii as a central setting.

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North Shore

"North Shore" may not have much depth, but it wallows in a carefree, summertime surfing vibe that makes the 1987 film a cult classic. The movie centers around Rick Kane, a young man who's just finished high school, eagerly awaiting college. He picks the North Shore of Hawaii as his hangout spot for the summer, hoping to become a pro surfer.

Rick faces the usual challenges of a male-led coming-of-age movie, including run-ins with some rough tough guys (a group of surfers called "The Hui"), learning new things (about Hawaiian culture and customs), and falling for a pretty local girl (Kiani, played by Nia Peeples). What sets "North Shore" apart is director William Phelps' skill in showing the in-between stage of adulthood and childhood using the breathtaking scenery of Hawaii and the demanding sport of surfing. The sun sets beautifully on the beach and on Rick's youth as he starts his journey into adulthood, armed with the strength and humility that surfing has given him.

Pearl Harbor

The issue with Michael Bay's "Pearl Harbor" is that it's factually incorrect, overly sentimental, and has some disturbing elements. It was panned by critics when it first came out, but it still did well financially.

Despite this, as a 14-year-old watching "Pearl Harbor" for the first time in theaters, the movie started an intense research journey into the military attack and its lasting impact. Although the romantic triangle between Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale is a tad cheesy, it helps to consider the fact that amid the chaos and destruction, life goes on as usual - a clumsy attempt to show that human life matters during war.

Creating an all-consuming experience in the movie theater that sparks the imagination of its target audience: pre-teen kids, which is precisely why Bay's war epic stands out. It was never meant to be a completely accurate retelling of one of America's darkest periods in history, but rather a way to introduce this event to young people in a way that would engage their attention and spark their interest.

Blue Crush

A great double feature option with "North Shore," John Stockwell's "Blue Crush" shifts the focus of surfing to women and those from working-class backgrounds who have the ability to excel in the sport but lack the means to compete professionally on a large scale. Starring Kate Bosworth in her first major film role, the story of three surfing friends living in Hawaii remains influential even years after its release.

The film co-written by Stockwell and Lizzy Weiss captures the spirit of the community that Orlean so beautifully described. "Blue Crush" wows with its stunning ocean views and picturesque beaches, but the film's core is about the friendships and the unglamorous side of surfing that is rarely talked about. Orlean's writing brought to life the passion and determination of these young women to live and breathe surfing, and it also explored the positive and negative ways in which their small village in Hawaii shaped and affected them. Stockwell brought this voice to the big screen.

50 First Dates

The second film in the Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore Trilogy, "50 First Dates," brings together the dual sides of Sandler's acting range. His more sarcastic and comedic side is balanced by his more sensitive and romantic side, often shared with a female co-star like Barrymore (or Jennifer Aniston). In this romantic comedy, set in Hawaii, Barrymore plays a woman with short-term memory loss, and Sandler portrays the man trying to win her heart every day all over again.

Barrymore and Sandler demonstrate that their on-screen charm wasn't a one-time thing. While immature jokes make up a lot of the movie, particularly with Rob Schneider's somewhat questionable character, "50 First Dates" is also surprisingly tender and poignant. The film takes a serious situation and pokes fun at it, but it also finds the beauty of a long-lasting love within that same situation.

Blue Hawaii

It's also the one formula that would haunt Elvis for a significant part of the '60s.

Blue Hawaii follows Chad, a soldier who's just been discharged from the army. He wants to find a new direction in life, break free from his family's fruit business and explore other opportunities. At the same time, he's dealing with advances from multiple women. The storyline is more lighthearted and campy than Elvis' previous two films, "Wild in the Country" and "Flaming Star," which tried to showcase his more serious acting skills. Those films were moderately successful, but Blue Hawaii outperformed them both, had a critically-acclaimed soundtrack with big hits like "Can't Help Falling In Love," and brought a lot of attention and revenue to Hawaii.

In 2016, "That put Hawaii on the world map. Everyone who loved Elvis went to see Elvis in 'Blue Hawaii' — and they saw Hawaii for the first time."

Mahalo. Mahalo nui loa.

Lilo & Stitch

Elvis' Hawaii connection remains strong even after his passing, as seen in the 2002 Disney movie, "Lilo & Stitch." The story of how a mischievous, yet lovable, extraterrestrial creature caused trouble and ultimately brought together two sisters who were on their own, helped introduce a new generation to the King and taught them about Hawaii's values of ohana, or family.

Throughout the film, it showcases the value of family relationships, no matter if they're related by blood or not. This is evident in how sister Nani, played by Tia Carrere, is trying to support herself, and Lilo, played by Daveigh Chase, is teaching an adopted alien friend, Stitch, to be more "model-like" responsible by using Elvis as a role model, highlighting the importance of the island's beauty, culture, and family connections.

A co-director, Chris Sanders, noted that the singer could have potentially served as a bridge between Lilo and her parents, who were fond of Elvis.

Tora! Tora! Tora!

For those who dismiss "Pearl Harbor" and want a more accurate portrayal of America's formal entry into World War II, the 1970 war epic "Tora! Tora! Tora!" is a better choice. This film, co-produced by the US and Japan, tells the story of the events leading up to the attack on December 7, 1941 by alternating between the perspectives of the Japanese and Americans.

The film's focus on details - in regards to set design and historical accuracy - serves as an example for other war movies. From the various aircraft carriers to the strategies and tactics portrayed, "Tora! Tora! Tora!" shows a thoughtful and well-informed approach to depicting history. Furthermore, the filmmakers' technical skills are particularly evident in the wide-ranging action sequences.

Although Kurosawa's involvement was brief because he struggled with the oversight. , but his work aside, "Tora! Tora! Tora!" remains one of the best wartime films ever-made.

The Descendants

Director Alexander Payne's drama-comedy starring George Clooney and Shailene Woodley as a father and daughter duo explores the intricacies of family relationships and lifelong partnerships through the perspectives of children and long-term partners. Following a boat accident that puts their mother/wife in a coma, Woodley's character Alex shares with her father, Clooney's character Matt, that she discovered his wife's infidelity, a secret he was not aware of.

George Clooney's raw emotion, Shailene Woodley's tough demeanor, and Judy Greer's impactful performance bring to light the character-driven movie where feelings aren't either/or or straightforward. The film truly gets that life is complicated and death exists, but it also shows that it shouldn't matter which one we're dealing with. Payne's screenplay (which he wrote alongside Nat Faxon and Jim Rash) handles the situation and characters with care, taking the audience on an extraordinary journey with a surprisingly mellow tone. Instead, humor and kindness shine through the film, which, in many ways, captures the spirit of Kauai.

From Here To Eternity

In 1953's "From Here to Eternity", the movie gave an unvarnished and not entirely flattering view of military life, despite the censorship restrictions of the Hays Code. The film, which is set in 1941, just before the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, is an adaptation of James Jones' novel. It focuses on the strained relationships and inter-service rivalries of soldiers stationed in the barracks at Oahu in the days and months leading up to the attack.

Featuring an all-star lineup from the Golden Age, Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, Mickey Shaughnessy, and Frank Sinatra created a compelling cast that added depth to the characters and their relationships. The film earned a record 13 Academy nominations, including acting nods for Lancaster, Clift, Kerr, Sinatra, and Reed - with Sinatra and Reed taking home awards; director Zinnemann won for Best Director, and the film won the prestigious award for Best Picture.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

One of the most devastating and memorable break-ups in movie history is captured as Jason Segel's character, Peter, lets it all out when he finds out his TV actress girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), has already moved on. The rest of the film revolves around Peter's attempt to shake off Sarah at an Oahu resort, where he coincidentally finds out that she is now staying with her new boyfriend, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand).

In addition to Peter's "surprise" for Sarah and the film's numerous comedic moments - including standout performances by Jack McBrayer and Maria Thayer as newlyweds - "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" stands out for its use of Hawaii as a setting. While other movies often view Hawaii as a picturesque backdrop or an important historical site, this film explores the lives of resort workers and the way mainlanders use it as a temporary escape from their problems, juxtaposing the tropical paradise with the character's darkest moments. The movie skillfully showcases Hawaii's beauty without ignoring the complexities beneath its surface.

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